Curriculum Vitae
Erik Kowalski
Curriculum Vitae
Current Work
Working on Thinking in the Age of Language Models, a long-form inquiry into judgment, authorship, and reasoning under conditions of generative AI.
Developing systems including:
- Judgment Layer — a reading-first interface for evaluating AI-generated text
- Formation Layer — a structured interaction for preserving the formation of reasoning
Focus: how meaning is formed, evaluated, and stabilized when synthesis becomes cheap and ubiquitous.
Education
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
College of Visual and Performing Arts
Master of Fine Arts, Visual Design
Magna Cum Laude
May 2011
Laguna College of Art & Design
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design
Cum Laude
May 2007
Academic Appointments
Adjunct Professor of Graphic Design
Roger Williams University - Bristol, RI
Feinstein College of Arts & Sciences
September 2011 – Present
Studio-based courses focused on typography, web systems, and the development of judgment in design practice.
Courses Taught:
- Special Topics in Graphic Design: Advanced Typography
- Web Development (CIS 206)
- Computer Applications in Business (CIS 102)
- History of Design Communication
- Web Design Communication
- Advanced Design Communication
- Introduction to Design Communication
- Electronic Communication
Adjunct Professor of Graphic Design
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth - Dartmouth, MA
College of Visual and Performing Arts
September 2015 – December 2015
Courses Taught:
- Typography Three: Web Type
Adjunct Professor of Graphic Design
Stonehill College - Easton, MA
September 2014 – May 2015
Courses Taught:
- Graphic Design Foundations
- Typography
Adjunct Professor of Graphic Design
Mount Ida College - Newton, MA
September 2013 – May 2014
Courses Taught:
- Web Development
- Vector Graphics
Adjunct Professor of Graphic Design
Salve Regina University - Newport, RI
September 2012 – May 2014
Courses Taught:
- Concentrated Study: Branding
- Concentrated Study: Typography
- Creativity and Technology
- Dreamweaver Workshop
- Silkscreen Workshop
Adjunct Professor of Graphic Design & Photography
Community College of Rhode Island - Newport, RI
September 2011 – May 2012
Courses Taught:
- Introduction to Graphic Design
- Introduction to Digital Photography
Instructor of Record
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
College of Visual and Performing Arts
September 2010 – May 2011
Courses Taught:
- Visual Language (FOU 115)
Lectures & Invited Talks
- Artists Talk, Senior Photography Five, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (2011)
- Guest Lecture, Senior Photography Six, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (2011)
- Lecturer, 2-D Design, Bridgewater State University (2012)
- Speaker, SelectAll Student Design Mini-Conference, Roger Williams University
- Guest Lecture, Digital Photography, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (2017)
Professional Experience
Graphic Designer
Fuse Interactive, Laguna Beach, CA
October 2006 – June 2009
Selected clients:
- Kawasaki Motorcycles
- Verizon Wireless
- Star Trac Exercise Equipment
- Japan Airlines
- Philippine Airlines
Graphic Designer / Web Designer / Photographer
Laguna Cyclery, Laguna Beach, CA
June 2008 – June 2009
Photographer
Elin Photography, Mattapoisett, MA
2010 – 2015
Professional Affiliations
- AIGA, Boston Chapter
- Mattapoisett Area Artists (Board Member)
Service
- Reviewer, Junior Portfolio Review, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (2009, 2010)
- Graduate Assistantship, GoodWebFonts.com development (2010)
- Visual Design Representative, Graduate Council, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (2010–2011)
Awards & Honors
- Merit Scholarship, Laguna College of Art & Design (2003)
- Honors College, Laguna College of Art & Design (2007)
- Honors College, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (2011)
Exhibitions
- Decentralized Arrays and Natural Corruption, Solo Exhibition, Gallery 65, New Bedford, MA (2015)
- Ocean, Sky, Earth, Air, Solo Exhibition, The Kings Lens and Friends, Newport, RI (2017, 2018)
- 2011 Graduate MFA Thesis Exhibition, University Art Gallery, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
- The Crafted Page, Gallery 244, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (2009)
- Array, Alumni Group Show, Laguna College of Art & Design (2011)
- Additional regional group exhibitions (2009–2014)